Equipment Financing Still Strong For Financial Corporation

Landmark Financial Corporation Boasts Equipment Financing Still Strong

Although traditional banks are shying away from industrial equipment financing, Landmark Financial Corporation is still able to provide equipment financing for new small and large companies. Because Landmark is not a bank, they are not limited by traditional lending practices.

Greenwood Village, CO, September 26, 2008 -- While the media is full of doom and gloom reports about the current economy, Landmark Financial Corporation announces that construction equipment leasing and financing remains stronger then would be expected given current economic news.

"Those expecting to see evidence of an overall slowdown in commercial equipment finance activity - or a significant decline in portfolio performance - as a result of the mortgage crisis, rising energy and food prices or a general economic slowdown may be surprised by a report by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. Economic activity for the $650 billion equipment finance sector, showed overall new business volume for May increased 6.5% when compared to the same period in 2007, proof that our industry is strong," said William Verhelle (ELFA Press Release 06/25/08)

Banks are becoming less willing to offer financing for small and newly established businesses. There are many government lending programs small businesses can turn to when looking for a loan if a traditional bank is unwilling to write the loan. However, these programs aren't always a good fit for small and new businesses that need the cash, because of the restrictions in place by the government. The criteria for such programs are also becoming more stringent in many cases requiring direct liens on the business owners' personal assets.

"We have many new or used equipment finance options for businesses of all sizes. Because we're a direct lender, we have the ability to be more flexible and creative when it comes to business equipment financing. We're in the unique position of having available capital that allows us to manage our portfolio with an eye towards identifying solid opportunities in an economic environment that has finance companies pulling back," said Peter Sutherland, President of Landmark Financial Corporation.

In addition to financing business owners, Landmark also has an appetite for supporting other lenders in purchasing portfolio and is also available to banks wishing to provide their own customers with financing options. This way if a bank is unable to offer a loan to a long-term customer, it can refer the customer to Landmark instead of sending them to a competitor.

"Loans that banks would have approved a year ago don't make the grade today. The credit window is not likely to open up further anytime soon. The Federal Reserve recently reported that the share of banks tightening loan availability to small businesses surged to a record high of 65.3% in the third quarter, up from 7.7% a year ago, according to its monthly survey of senior loan officers. We're striving to make our equipment financing programs available to credit worthy businesses while maintaining the flexibility and creativity often missing from other large institutional lenders in these difficult economic times," said Sutherland.

Landmark Financial Corporation offers all types of construction equipment financing and leasing. Financial help is available for restaurants, construction companies, transportation companies and many others. Because Landmark focuses solely on equipment financing, they are capable of financing almost any type of business equipment.

About Landmark Financial Corporation: Landmark Financial Corporation offers a full service approach to equipment financing. As a direct underwriter, Landmark Financial eliminates the middleman, to save clients money and provide a more seamless experience. The company offers financing for a wide variety of equipment from e-commerce systems to furniture, machine tools to fixtures. Landmark is still there to be your capital finance partner.

Contact Information

Landmark Financial Corporation
Tom Brems
720-214-6866
tom@lfcinc.com

Star's Stock Investing Techniques Shared With People

Adam Mesh, "The Average Joe's" Stock Coach, Partners with Prosper Inc.

Prosper Inc., a distance education company based in Utah, has reached an agreement with Adam Mesh to share the former "Average Joe" star's stock investing techniques with people who are eager to get involved with the stock market.

Provo, UT, September 17, 2008 -- Adam Mesh, "The Average Joe's" Stock Coach, has reached an agreement with Utah-based Prosper Inc. to share his highly popular stock trading techniques and coaching in the company's one-to-one distance learning programs.

Even before appearing on NBC's "The Average Joe," Mesh was a successful stock trader. He has been a partner at two successful trading companies, selling the last one in 2006. His success has been landed him coverage in Fortune, "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, Trader Monthly, and CNBC's "Squawk Box."

"Prosper is the undisputed leader in one-to-one coaching programs, so it was an easy decision to partner with them," Mesh said. "Prosper has perfected the systems and resources that help students excel. I trust Prosper to give my students what they need to succeed."

"We are thrilled to partner with Adam and we look forward to helping his students gain the stock trading knowledge he is uniquely qualified to share," said Ethan Willis, CEO of Prosper. "We deliver the highest quality coaching programs for some of the most respected brands in the world, and adding someone of Adam's caliber only enhances our position as the most trusted name in one-to-one education."

Since selling his trading company in 2006, Mesh has focused on helping individuals succeed in the stock market, and has found great demand for his coaching. "There are thousands of people who want to get started in the stock market but don't know how," Mesh said. "Prosper will help me reach those who want to learn how."

Prosper works closely with highly recognized business experts, including David Bach, Ken Blanchard, and John Cummuta. Prosper develops curricula for students that, combined with one-to-one coaching, helps them achieve business goals, get out of debt, develop added sources of revenue, etc. Approximately 85 percent of Prosper's enrolling students complete the coursework for their chosen program.

About Prosper Inc.
Prosper Inc., based in Provo, Utah, is a global leader of coaching and distance training in real estate investing, stock market investing, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and personal finance. Prosper has coached more than 40,000 students since its founding in 1999, and currently educates thousands of students enrolled in its programs in more than 70 countries. Visit Prosper at http://www.prospercorp.com.

Contact Information 

Prosper Inc.
Jason Russell
801-371-0755
jrussell@prospercorp.com
www.prospercorp.com

If You Can Pay Off Mortgage, Should You?

Paying Off Your Mortgage is a Mistake

If you are even thinking about paying off your mortgage, think again. Why is the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reporting that Americans are making the "wrong choice" when it comes to pre-paying their mortgage and saving for their retirement? Find out EXACTLY why and how you can empower your financial future. Live event and financial workshop April 22, 2008, 7 p.m., Oakbrook, IL.

Oakbrook, IL  -  April 21 -- MatthewSapaula, Inc. will host an event April 22nd, 2008 to help middle class homeowners and real estate investors better manage their money more wisely. They will review strategies on how to maximize a homeowner's greatest asset-their home, protect them from dropping property values and explore options on how to secure their financial future during uncertain economic times. This event is one of more than 350 free classes, seminars and activities promoting financial education that will take place during Chicago's Money Smart Week April 20-26th, 2008.

"Many people today are feeling more isolated, confused and powerless as they are bombarded with negative news about our country and economy," says Matthew Sapaula, President of MatthewSapaula, Inc. "Our workshops will help shed a different light to allow attendees to rethink and redefine how to maintain control of their financial future during these unique times."

Their workshop, titled House Rich, Cash Poor…American Dream to American Trap and How to Avoid It, is sponsored by Wachovia and will be held at 7 p.m. CST at the Oakbrook Marriot, 1401 W. 22nd St., Oakbrook, IL 60523, intersection of Cermak and Route 83. Special guest book signings will be held by financial authors James Kraiss, CFP and David Muti, JD who wrote Discovering Life's Hidden Financial Treasures and Mortgages: What You Need to Know, respectively. For seat reservations, free report and audio download, call 800.955.0589 or visit http://www.moneyinmotionseminars.com

Coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its Money Smart partners, Money Smart Week is designed to educate consumers about money management and create awareness of financial education programs on a wide range of topics such as budgeting, retirement savings and using credit wisely.

The educational activities will be carried out by more than 200 local community groups, businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations.

"Money Smart Week celebrates its seventh anniversary in Chicago and continues to provide many different opportunities for people to learn about managing their personal finances," said Chicago Fed President Charles Evans. "This year's calendar features diverse and numerous events for a broad range of consumers. During this week, attendees will have many chances to learn where good personal finance information is available."

Additional information and a calendar of events for this year's Money Smart Week are now available at http://www.moneysmartweek.org/chicago

Press Contact: Matthew Sapaula
Company Name: MatthewSapaula, Inc.
Phone: 708.236.1720
Website: www.matthewsapaula.com

Social Networking to Grow Deposits and Lending For Caribbean Banks

Caribbean Banks to Leverage Social Networking to Grow Deposits and Lending; eDominate Software Opens New Doors for Online Customer Service

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, September 07, 2008 -- eDominate Inc., a global leader in providing buying cycle management solutions to financial institutions, today announced its introduction of eCommerce Manager Caribbean (or, "eCM Caribbean") and Caribbean Loan Origination Plus (or, "Caribbean LOS Plus") to the Caribbean banking markets.

As eDominate's flag-ship product, eCM Caribbean is a dynamic online lending portal designed to improve financial institutions' loan portfolios, deposits, customer service, and profitability. The software gives banks and credit unions around the world the ability to support borrowers during the research, shopping, and lending stages of their buying cycles. This expanded customer service - or "buying-cycle management" - not only increases customer value and loyalty, but improves the institution's chances of capturing their loan business when they are ready to seek financing.

Helping to define eDominate's focus, the Caribbean Bankers User Group held their 18th Annual Meeting the week of July 15, 2008, at the Ft. Young Hotel in Dominica. The focus of this year's meeting was on increasing fee income through secure remote distribution channels, and eDominate was invited to speak and offer a solutions' roadmap.

"eDominate is our only vendor who has automated loan origination, both online and in the back-office, specific to the Caribbean banking requirements," said Chantell Norville, Manager of Project User Information Management and Technology for the East Caribbean Financial Holding Company, Ltd. "Their phenomenal success with the Bank of Saint Lucia makes them a key provider for lending solutions in the Caribbean."

eDominate's experience in loan origination instructed their development of eCM Caribbean, harnessing the social networking capabilities of Internet communications to add the tangible benefits of buying-cycle management for lenders. And eDominate's success in mapping their loan origination and online lending solutions to the Caribbean market, initially with the Bank of Saint Lucia, make for an end-to-end loan generation and origination solution for Caribbean banks.

"There is a very strong desire across Caribbean bankers to leverage technology automation," said John Benjamin, Managing Director at TCI Bank. "We hope to use automation not only to increase income, but also to gain operational efficiency, decrease costs, and provide improved services to our customers. I'm intrigued by eDominate's unique approach to Internet lending and how they help banks to support potential borrowers much earlier in their buying cycles than the loan process. I can easily imagine how providing this elevated level of service wins customers for the lender."

eDominate will be showcasing eCM Caribbean and the business advantages of buying-cycle management to Caribbean financial institutions this fall in a series of teleconferences with ECIC Holdings Ltd. In demonstrating the diverse features of this online portal - and answering questions on how it can drive lending, deposits, cross-sales, and even commercial business - eDominate intends to acknowledge the Caribbean Bankers User Group's consolidated buying power by offering discounted pricing to institutions purchasing as a group.

ABOUT ECIC Holdings Ltd.
ECIC Holdings Ltd. (ECIC) is a private company headquartered in Basseterre, St Kitts, and held by 10 indigenous banks of the region: Grenada Co-operative Bank Ltd., 1st National Bank St Lucia Ltd., National Bank of Dominica, ABI Bank Ltd., Caribbean Union Bank Ltd., St Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank Ltd., Bank of Nevis Ltd., National Bank of Anguilla Ltd., Caribbean Commercial Bank (Anguilla) Ltd. and TCI Bank Ltd. ECIC's mission is to be the facilitator of the creation of a virtual, modern, competitive financial services operation comprising member indigenous financial institutions of the region, and to enhance the operations and the share value of its shareholders and promote their competitiveness and sustainability in the CSME. ECIC owns majority shares of Caribbean Financial Services Corporation (CFSC), a Barbados-based development finance institution that provides loan, quasi-equity, and equity financing to Caribbean SMEs, as well as facilitates participation in the region's capital markets by the public and private sectors of the region.

About eDominate
eDominate Inc. ("eDominate") is a global provider of software and services that help financial institutions to build and monetize social networks. Banks, credit unions, and finance companies use eDominate's patent-pending methodology and Internet technologies to open new markets for lending and deposits, win new commercial accounts, drive new lending opportunities, generate new revenue streams, improve customer service online, provide community advocacy, achieve "greener" business operations, and cross-sell more financial products and services. eDominate software can be delivered internationally and customized to accommodate almost any financial niche. For more information, please visit www.eDominate.com.

Contact Information

eDominate, Inc
Mike Einsel
602-222-8558
meinsel@edominate.com
www.edominate.com
 

iShares MSCI Chile (ECH) in Latest Edition of ETF Momentum Tracker

ETF Momentum Tracker Spotlights iShares MSCI Chile (ECH) in Latest Edition

Portland, ME, September 05, 2008 -- ETF Momentum Tracker (http://www.fidelityadviser.com/readMe_ETF.asp) profiles iShares MSCI Chile (ECH) in the latest issue of the newsletter released today. ETF Momentum Tracker recently added ECH to its model portfolio. http://store.fidelityindependentadviser.com/etf1yr.html

"Until a few months ago Chile's Santiago Stock Exchange-like many of its Latin American neighbors'-was doing well," noted Don Dion, publisher of ETF Momentum Tracker, "thanks in part to the commodity price boom, fueled by insatiable demand from the developing world."

The iShares MSCI Chile ETF gained nearly 9% in the first quarter, while the S&P 500 fell 10%. ECH hit an all-time high on April 23, but has fallen 17.9% since, including a 12% drop in the three months ended Aug. 29. Over the latter period, the S&P 500 fell just 8%.

http://store.fidelityindependentadviser.com/etf1yr.html

"That's not the kind of returns investors here have come to expect," reflected Dion, "over the five years prior to the fund's high, Latin American funds averaged a 44% annualized gain."

Despite recent disappointments, Dion maintains that ECH has held up "better than most" amongst its peers. The ETF is off 7.3% this year-beating the MSCI EAFE Index by more than 11%. ECH's three-month performance ranks in the top 1% of Latin American funds and beats the MSCI EAFE Iindex by more than two percentage points. ECH also outperformed iShares' Emerging Markets (down 20.6%), Brazil (down 26.1%) and Latin America 40 (down 21.9%) for that period.

"ECH was promoted as an indirect play on growth in China and India," Dion said, "thanks to its natural resources-and for having a market that is less risky than it used to be, backed by a growing domestic economy." That, bulls say, may still be the case-at least in the long term.

Can ECH maintain the momentum necessary to remain in ETF Momentum Tracker's model portfolio (http://www.fidelityadviser.com/readMe_ETF.asp)? "The bottom line is that ECH hasn't been able to post the kind of otherworldly returns some came to expect," Dion said "but it's done better than its peers, making it an attractive niche play for direct exposure to Latin America and an indirect link to China."

ETF Momentum Tracker is a member of Fidelity Independent Adviser's family of financial publications. With more than 70,000 subscribers in the United States and 29 other countries, Fidelity Independent Adviser publishes four monthly newsletters and three weekly newsletters. Its flagship publication, Fidelity Independent Adviser, has been published monthly for 11 years and reaches 40,000 subscribers. http://store.fidelityindependentadviser.com/etf1yr.html

Don Dion, publisher of Fidelity Independent Adviser, is also president and founder of Dion Money Management, a fee-based investment advisory firm to affluent individuals, families and nonprofit organizations, where he is responsible for setting investment policy, creating custom portfolios and overseeing the performance of client accounts. Founded in 1996 and based in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Dion Money Management manages more than $750 million in assets for clients in 49 states and 11 countries. A licensed attorney in Massachusetts and Maine, Mr. Dion has more than 25 years' experience working in the financial markets, having founded and run two publicly traded companies before establishing Dion Money Management. http://www.dionmm.com/

Contact Information
 
Dion Money Management, LLC
Donald R. Dion
1-800-432-7447 ext. 119
donalddion@dionmm.com
www.dionmm.com